Athletics Victoria Shield North West Region action was held at Coburg last Saturday, however it was not quite the turnout we might have hoped, only equalling the number of athletes that attended Round 1 at Aberfeldie. However, there were a number of exceptional performances recorded with the club's Division 2 and 40 + men again winning to remain undefeated after three rounds. The club's U16 girls made a welcome return to the winners list and the top of their ladder, while our U16 and U18 men both finished an encouraging third

 

Megan Marsh won the 1500 m Walk and Leah Polycarpou the 3000 m (U16), while the 40 + men won the relay. Warren Burke came first in the 100 m and 400 m while John Braszell won the 3000 m. Craig Brown took out the 100 m and Long Jump before leading the club's 4 x 200 m relay team to victory. Celeste White (U18) won the 400 m, while Michael Dziadkiewicz (U18) won the 100 m, with Matthew Mifsud second.

In Division 2, Liam Magee was runner up in the 3000 m and Ben Weber was second in the Javelin. Natasha Grgurovic was second for our Open women in the 400 m Hurdles and in the 40 + men, Jeff Sharam came second in the Javelin, Ken Carter second in the Hammer and Tim Erickson second in the Walk with Bernie Goggin third. Esther Traine came third in the Division 1 women's section of that event, but in the U16 women Amber Dominutti was third in the High Jump (with a PB), Megan Marsh was third in the Javelin and Klarinda Hudson was third in the Long Jump. The men's 40 + saw Benny Tancredi third in the 100 m, and Warren Burke take third in the Hammer and Javelin

 

And for the third consecutive week a host of club records were broken, including three in the 4 x 200 m Relay. First off, a new Open women's record - congratulations to the team of Rita Pana, Julie Torrini, Celeste White and Adrianna Crea. Well done also to the girls who broke the U15 record - Matina Konstantinakos, Klarindah Hudson, Cassandra Musumeci and Megan Marsh. And in 40+ men - well done to Warren Burke, Benny Tancredi, John Braszell and Robert Virgona.

Elsewhere, Natasha Grgurovic broke the club's 400 m Hurdles record (note, irrespective of which division you compete in, you still claim records in your own individual age group), Tim Conway claimed the U14 & U15 record in the 200 m Hurdles, Jeff Sharam broke the 700 gram Javelin record (M45-49), while Warren Burke did the same for M40-44 and then added the 6 kg Shot Put record to his name in the same age group

 

So after three rounds, our Division 2 men are seven points clear on the top of their ladder while the men's 40 + hold a similar advantage atop theirs. The women's U16 team are a point clear on top, our men's U16 lie second while our Division 3 men and U18 men are only a couple of points adrift of seeing finals action

 

To our next meet and Round 4 action will see us at Williamstown next Saturday, 15 November 2009. With no Little Athletics scheduled at Coburg that day, it would be great to see a strong representation from our juniors. We return to Program 1, which athletes will remember has Walk by invitation, the 100/200 m double for the sprinters, the Steeple/1500 m double for our middle distance squad and for the field athletes Hammer is invitation and not for points. For the hurdlers, it's the 400 m for seniors and 200 m for juniors, while the jump event is Long Jump

 

And some notes for athletes. First off, and this has been an issue for us earlier in the season - could the fourth runner in the relays please check in at the table afterwards. The relays are worth double points and we don't want to miss out. For those doing lap scoring for the 3000/5000 m, please remember to mark the time on the lap scoring sheet rather than just ticking as they complete each lap.  And finally, please remember to check in after your events with your designated junior grade. For our U18 men and women, that means checking in as U18 unless otherwise advised by team management

 

If anyone needs a lift out to Williamstown please let me know and I would be happy to arrange it as more than likely will be requiring a lift myself

 

Looking further ahead, Coburg Little Athletics are holding their annual major fundraiser - a Trivia Night - on Saturday, 22 November 2008. Those Harriers who went last year can attest to the fact that all had a rip roaring time - despite disgracing ourselves by coming last! If you would like to attend this year's event and hopefully make up for the performance (lets face it, the only way is up!), please let me know. Would be good to have a full table as we did last year

 

DATES TO REMEMBER

 

Sat 15 November    AV Shield Round 4 at Williamstown - Melways Ref : 56 B4. Let me know if you need a lift

Sat 22 November    AV Shield Round 5 at Aberfeldie. Coburg Little Athletics Trivia Night to follow